Benzyl chloride belongs to the family of Substituted Benzenes. These are aromatic compounds containing a benzene substituted at one or more positions.

Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical products and as a photographic developer. The acute (short-term) effects of benzyl chloride from inhalation exposure in humans consist of severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and lung damage along with pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs). Exposure to high concentrations also causes effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Animal data indicate that long-term exposure to benzyl chloride by gavage (placing it experimentally in the stomachs of mice) increased the incidence of benign and malignant tumors at multiple sites and resulted in a significant increase in thyroid tumors in female rats. EPA has classified benzyl chloride as a Group B2, probable human carcinogen.

Physical Description of Benzyl Chloride
BENZYL CHLORIDE is a colorless liquid with an irritating odor. Toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Flash point 153°F. Slightly soluble in water. Corrosive to metals and tissue. A lachrymator. Density 9.2 lb /gal.

Color of Benzyl Chloride
Colorless to slightly yellow liquid

Odor of Benzyl Chloride
Rather unpleasant, irritating odor

Boiling Point of Benzyl Chloride
354° F at 760 mm Hg

Melting Point of Benzyl Chloride
-54 to -45° F

Flash Point of Benzyl Chloride
153° F

Density of Benzyl Chloride
1.1 at 68° F

Benzyl chloride is an effective electrophile used in organic chemistry for introducing benzyl groups. Benzyl chloride can be used for the benzyl protection of amines and alcohols, however this is more commonly performed with benzyl bromide.

Benzyl chloride, or ?-chlorotoluene, is an organic compound with the formula C6H5CH2Cl. This colourless liquid is a reactive organochlorine compound that is a widely used chemical building block.

Uses
Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical, perfume and flavor products. It is also used as a photographic developer.Benzyl chloride can be used in the manufacture of synthetic tannins and as a gum inhibitor in petrol.Benzyl chloride has been used as an irritant gas in chemical warfare.

Hazard Summary
Benzyl chloride is used as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of certain dyes and pharmaceutical products and as a photographic developer. The acute (short-term) effects of benzyl chloride from inhalation exposure in humans consist of severe irritation of the upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes, and lung damage along with pulmonary edema (fluid in lungs). Exposure to high concentrations also causes effects on the central nervous system (CNS). Animal data indicate that longterm exposure to benzyl chloride by gavage (placing it experimentally in the stomachs of mice) increased the incidence of benign and malignant tumors at multiple sites and resulted in a significant increase in thyroid tumors in female rats. EPA has classified benzyl chloride as a Group B2, probable human
carcinogen.

Chemical Properties of Benzyl Chloride
Colorless to yellow liquid

Uses of Benzyl Chloride
An intermediate in the preparation of phenylacetic acid (precursor to phamaceuticals). Also a precursor molecule to benzyl esters which are used as plasticizer, flavorants, and perfumes.

Definition of Benzyl Chloride
ChEBI: A member of the class of benzyl chlorides that is toluene substituted on the alpha-carbon with chlorine.

General Description of Benzyl Chloride
A colorless liquid with an irritating odor. Toxic by inhalation and skin absorption. Flash point 153°F. Slightly soluble in water. Corrosive to metals and tissue. A lachrymator. Density 9.2 lb /gal.

Description of Benzyl Chloride

Benzyl chloride is a colorless to slightly yellow liquid with a pungent, aromatic odor. It is soluble in alcohol, ether, and chloroform, and is insoluble in water. It is very refractive. Benzyl chloride is combustible and is corrosive to metal. It reacts with steam and oxidizing agents and is slowly hydrolyzed by water (HSDB, 1991). Benzyl chloride also rapidly decomposes when heated in the presence of iron

Benzyl chloride is an industrial intermediate chemical used in the production of a variety of materials. The primary purpose of benzyl chloride is to add benzyl functionality to different molecules to change their chemical properties. This is used in the production of plasticizers, sanitizing agents and oil extraction materials.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND APPLICATIONS of Benzyl Chloride

Toluene (methylbenzene) has a methyl group attached to a benzene ring. alpha-Chlorinated toluenes are organic compounds which one of the hydrogen atoms in the methyl group has been substituted by a chlorine atom instead of the substitution in the benzene ring . All three hydrogens in the methyl group can be replaced by chlorine atoms thtough the free radical chain reaction. These reactions are catalysed by light and sometimes called photochemical reaction. They reacts vigorously with strong oxidants and water to produce hydrogen chloride and attacks many metals except nickel and lead in the presence of water. Chloromethylated aromatic compounds are used as monomer for a copolymerization and as intermediate in organic synthesis for the introduction of the benzyl protecting group for alcohols and carboxylic acids such as benzaldehyde and cinnamic acid. Benzyl chloride, (monochloromethyl)benzene, is a clear to yellowish liquid; melts at -39 C; boils at 179 C. Its oxidation reaction produces benzaldehyde.Benzyl Chloride is widely used as an intermediate for manufacturing organic compounds including benzyl alcohol, benzyl cyanide and other benzyl compounds. It is used in fuel as a gum inhibitor. Benzal chloride, (dichloromethyl)benzene, is a clear to yellowish liquid; melts at -17 C; boils at 206 C. Its oxidation reaction with an alkali produces benzaldehyde. alpha-Chlorinated toluenes are used in the end applications of perfumery, dyes, pharmaceuticals, synthetic resins, photographic chemicals, warfare chemicals, penicillins, quaternary ammonium compounds, plasticizer and esters.

The colorless liquid with a sharp bacon is slightly soluble in water and slowly hydrolyzed. It is mixed with ether, benzene, carbonsulfur and oils. It is mainly used with alcohols, phenols and amines to introduce the benzoyl group. This reaction is called the Schotten-Baumann reaction. In addition, in the preparation of benzoyl peroxide, it is used in the synthesis of colorants, in the preparation of derivatives which enable them to be recognized in the analysis of organic compounds. Irritant effect on skin, eyes and mucous membranes.